ORANGEBURG, SC - The Claflin Lady Panthers (8-2, 4-0 CIAA) improved to an undefeated 4-0 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play when the team took a 62-59 win over the Bowie State Bulldogs (8-5, 1-3 CIAA), Thursday evening. The win was not an easy one as the Lady Panthers had to fend off a Bowie State team that never gave in.
 
As a team, the Lady Panthers put on a great overall effort to claim the win. The duo of senior guard Ariel Lucas and sophomore center Olivia Randolph powered the team to the win. Lucas led the way for the Lady Panthers with 18 points and three steals in the game. Randolph nearly pulled off a double-double effort with 13 points and nine rebounds with two blocked shots.
 
The Lady Panthers took control of the game with an early lead in the first quarter and never looked back. The Lady Panthers took their largest lead in the third quarter with a  Randolph lay-up that gave the team a 42-25 lead with 6:58 left in the quarter. However, the work was not over for the Lady Panthers as the team had to hold off a furious fourth quarter effort by the Bulldogs. The Lady Panthers' lead was cut down to just three points, 62-59 with less than 30 seconds left to play, but the Lady Panthers were able to clamp down on defense and seal their fourth straight CIAA win.
 
With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 8-2 overall and 4-0 in CIAA play. The team will return to action, Saturday when they host the Lincoln (Pa.) Lady Lions. For more information on Lady Panthers basketball, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.